‘JK-Forum’ Member Selling Jeep Wrangler YJ Off-roader

Wrangler YJ has built axles, newer transmission, roll cage, and aftermarket suspension bits.

The Jeep Wrangler holds its value better than many American vehicles. That is good news for owners and bad news for those folks looking to buy a used model. The high resale value of newer Wranglers comes into play for many people who are looking to build dedicated off-road toys, but if you search back through some older generations, you are likely to find Jeeps that are already built to handle the worst conditions.

A 1988 Wrangler YJ was posted for sale in the JK-Forum Marketplace by “3^rd Go Around” and if you are looking for a solid off-road-ready rig on a budget, this might be the perfect Jeep for you.

Modified Wrangler YJ Introduction

When the OP first posted this 1988 Jeep Wrangler YJ for sale, he included a quick rundown of the key features and modifications.

88 Wrangler YJ built for 4wheelin. Currie built Dana 44 in the rear with ’90 Explorer disk brake conversion and full Detroit locker. Dana 30 with 32 spline TJ shafts and Detroit TruTrac locker in the front. 4-35’s Cooper Pro STT and 1-35 Cooper STT for trail spare. 4.5 Rubicon Express HD lift, 1-inch body lift and 1-inch boomerang shackle lift. 4.2 motor with Weber Carb tuned correctly, NV3550 5 speed out of a 05 TJ. Full roll cage added onto factory cage. Flat fenders, Warn rear bumper with tire carrier and Fabtech style front bumper.

The OP also included four pictures, all of which show the exterior. There were no interior or engine bay pictures included with the listing, but if you are legitimately interested in this Jeep, you should click here to visit the thread and ask for more information.

Ready for the Trails

This 1988 Wrangler is not a show vehicle. The paint is in pretty good shape and most of the body looks very straight, but there is some rust showing around the windshield and on the aftermarket bumpers. However, none of that matters when you are rambling through the woods.

What does matter is that this 1988 Jeep has all of the key suspension upgrades to handle harsh off-roading. It also has plenty of room for the huge tires, thanks in part to the aftermarket fenders. The upgraded axles and the newer transmission should help with drivability and durability and in case you get too ambitious and roll it over, the roll cage should protect the occupants. Meanwhile, the standard 4.2-liter inline-six engine provides the power needed to climb hills and dig through slop.

If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive Jeep Wrangler that has been modified for off-road adventures, this YJ might be the perfect vehicle at $7,000.

Join the JK-Forums now!

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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